AL bill would allow out of state online courses

The Tuscaloosa News reports House Bill 321 is sponsored by Rep. Bill Pool, a Tuscaloosa Republican. Poole says he met with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and educators when he crafted the bill.

The legislation would tweak part of Alabama law to allow accredited out-of-state schools participating in a regional agreement approved by the governor to operate in Alabama.

Alabama Commission on Higher Education Director Gregory Fitch says the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools would likely be the accrediting authority, and the agreement would be overseen by the Southern Regional Education Board.

The bill has won support from some University System of Alabama officials.

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